Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 225

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1540

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 225

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beginning of the Revolution he enlisted in a com- pany organized by Capt. Joseph Erwin, afterward incorporated under Col. Samuel Miles' Pennsyl- vania Rifle Regiment. This division finally be- came a part of the Thirteenthi Pennsylvania, then of the Second Pennsylvania, and on January 1, 1778, having served his time, he was discharged from the service at Valley Forge. He was paid in "Continental money," which was worthless, and part of it is still in the possession of the family. He then returned to the farm in Wash- ington county, where he died in December, 1823, having been preceded by his wife in 1812. The children who were born after the family had set- tled in Pennsylvania were as follows: James, Robert, Samuel, Margaret (wife of John Cunning- ham) and Jane (unmarried), all of whom are now deceased, but lived to an adult age.

James Leech, son of the old pioneer, James, was born September 17, 1775, in Northampton county, Penn. His youth was passed on the home farm, and he received a subscription-school education. Early evincing a taste for mechanical work, he learned the trade of millwright. He bought a farm where the old fort stood, and had a saw and grist mill, to which latter wheat was brought on horseback. In 1803 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wishart, who was born in 1782, in Franklin county, Penn., and came with her parents to Washington county when thirteen years of age. James and Elizabeth Leech were the parents of the following children: James, Jane (wife of James McKeen, of Greene county, Peun., both deceased), Nancy (Mrs. James McGhee, of Tama county, Iowa, both de- eased), John, Robert, David, Thomas, Elizabeth (liv- ing with her brother Joseph), Joseph P., Mary (wife of A. Phillis, of Smith township), and Pressly. Of these children there are yet living: Elizabeth, Joseph P. and Pressly. After his marriage James Leech settled on a farm in Smith township. In 1812 he entered the war of that period, serving under Harrison through the campaign. In poli- tics he was a Whig, first a Jackson man, but changed on the bank question, and took a very active part in the campaign preceding the election of President Harrison. He was an enthusiastic admirer of his older leader, and did all in his, power to secure the election of the sturdy, fearless, veteran. In 1818 Mr. Leech was appointed a jus- tice of the peace, filling that office twenty-two years, during which time his rulings were invari- ably sustained by the higher courts. He and his, wife were members of the Seceder Church, and then of the Union Church, to which he contributed liberally, having given the land for a church at Mt. Vernon before the project was abandoned, owing to disorganization. The old church stands. He was called to his long home June 27, 1852, and' on June 4, 1867, his wife was laid to rest beside him.

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Joseph P. Leech was born October 21, 1826, in Smith township, this county, and received a limited education in the subscription schools. He followed farming some time, then entered mercantile life, condueting a store near Mt. Vernon church (as it was then called) for seven years. He then be- came a drover, dealing extensively in wool, and this business called him to different parts of west- ern Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, where he has an extensive acquaintance; he also made frequent trips to New York, Philadelphia, Boston and many othern Eastern cities, with which he has become very familiar. Mr. Leech owns an immense tract of prime land which is cultivated under his super- vision. He is one of the largest stockholders in the Burgettstown National Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. Politically he was orig- inally a Whig, now a Republican, and he was present at the convention when John C. Fremont was nominated for President. He is not a poli- tician as far as office-holding is concerned. In 1877 he met with a serious accident, which resulted in the loss of his left eye, which was struck by the horn of an ox. Mr. Leech is a well-built, healthy man, stands five feet ten and one-half inches, and weighs 160 pounds. He has never married.

M RS. ELIZA GRANT is the widow of Noah Grant, who was a son of Robert, and de- scended from Scotch ancestry. Robert Grant was born and reared on the old homestead in Carroll township, Washing- ton Co., Penn., and followed farming all his life. In early manhood he was married to Harriet Baker, a native of Ohio, and twelve children were born to them, of whom bnt two are now living, viz .: L. G., who is residing in the far West, and Rebecca Colvin, a native of Fallowfield township.

Noah Grant was born in 1832, in Carroll town- ship, Washington Co., Penn., the youngest child in his father's family. He received a good educa- tion and passed his life in agricultural pursuits. In 1855 he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Wickerham, who bore him the following children: Ethel (Mrs. Furlong), living in Roscoe, Penn. ; Grace, wife of Mr. Orr, editor of a news- paper in West Newton, Penn .; Robert, in the sig- nal service at Pike's Peak, Colo .; May (Mrs. Speers), living at Roscoe, Penn .; Florence, a ste- nographer, in Chicago, and Lydia, living at home. Mr. Grant was identified with the Republican party, and was very prominent in educational af- fairs. He died April 7, 1886; his widow resides near Monongahela, and rents the home farm, which contains 100 acres, situated near Monongahela. She is a member of the Methodist Church.

I OHN CULBERTSON HARVEY, one of the prosperous farmers of Morris township, was born June 9, 1828, in Franklin county, Ponn. His father, John Harvey, was a native of eastern Pennsylvania, born near Carlisle. He removed to Franklin county in early life, where he married Sarah Culbertson, a daughter of Robert Culbertson, of Franklin county. They reared a Family of fourteen children, viz .: Nehemiah K., Agnes, Hannah, John C., Sarah, Ruth T., Mary, Robert C., William T., Joseph, Benjamin, Har- riet, Catherine and Wilson C., of whom eight are living, three in Harrisburg, Penn., one in Dau- phin county, one in Newville, one in Cumberland, and two in Roxbury, Franklin county.

John Culbertson Harvey was reared on his father's farm in Franklin county, and received a practical education in the neighboring schools. He was married April 12, 1853, to Jane, daughter of James Kilgore, of Greene county, Penn. Mrs. Harvey died October 30, 1874, having become the mother of three children: Simpson L., James K. and a son who died in infancy. In 1878 Mr. Harvey was again married, this time to Ruth T. Kilgore, who died March 7, 1891. He removed to Morris township, Washington county, about twenty-five years ago, and has since resided here, giving his entire attention to his farm. Mr. Har- vey enlisted March 7, 1861, in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-eighth P. V. I., being drafted for nine months but served ten. In politics Mr. Harvey is a Republican, and in religion is a mem- ber of Mount Zion M. E. Church. Simpson L. Harvey, eldest son of John C. Harvey, is married to Frances Day, daughter of Bethuel Day, and they have one son, Charley Wycliffe; James, the second son, married Emma Mounts, daughter of William Mounts, of Franklin township, and they are the parents of two children: Jennie and William.

AMES R. WOODBURN, a well known busi- ness man and successful farmer of East Fin- ley township, is the second surviving son of Joseph and Ruth (Garrett) Woodburn. He was born January 17, 1834, near Taylorstown, Buffalo township, Washington Co., Penn., and his boyhood and early youth were passed, partly in labor on his father's place, and partly at school. He received a fair common-school education, and attended a normal academy at Millersville (Penn.) one term, after which he was engaged in teaching nine or ten terms. He made his home with his parents until the breaking out of the Civil war, when, August 18, 1862, he enlisted in the Ringgold Battalion, an independent troop, which afterward became the Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry,

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and was composed almost exclusively of Washing- ton county men. The duty of this body of horse- men was, during the early part of the struggle, to guard railroads and do " scouting" duty through West Virginia. Mr. Woodburn also participated in the engagements at Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, Manchester, besides many others of minor impor- tance; was wounded in the shoulder in 1863, and was sent to the hospital, but afterward served till the close of the war, and was mustered out as ser- geant. After his return home to resume the voca- tions of peace, he was married, on March 14, 1867, to Lizzie McClelland, who was born September 14, 1841, a daughter of Thomas McClelland, of East. Finley township, and to this union three children were born: Joseph L., born March 30, 1871; Jen- nie B., born March 25, 1874; and Fannie A., born April 11, 1878, all now at home. After his mar- riage Mr. Woodburn located on his present place, a well-improved, valuable piece of farm property, lying about a mile and a half southeast of Clays- ville, where he has since conducted a general farm business, including stock raising. In 1874 he built a large modern barn, and in 1882 erected a dwelling that has for elegance and convenience no superior and few equals in his township. Mr. Woodburn is regarded as an enterprising farmer, and one of the intelligent and influential men in the community in which he lives. He is a great lover of home and its attractions, and takes pride in keeping up with the times in everything per- taining to agriculture. He is interested in several enterprises outside of farming, and has been a di- rector in the First National Bank of Claysville since its organization. In politics he is a solid Republican, taking a lively interest in the affairs of the party. He and his wife are esteemed mem- bers of the U. P. Church at Claysville, of which he is a trustee.

H ENRY EARNEST was born April 11, 1817, in Cumberland county, Penn. His grandfather, John Earnest, emigrated from Germany (where he was born in 1734), in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and, after landing in America, located in Cumber- land county, Penn. He then served two years in the Revolutionary war, suffering with the patriots of his adopted country, and many times traveling barefoot through the deep snow. He was married in Pennsylvania, and reared the following chil- dren: Samuel, Andrew. David, Henry, George, John, Polly and Daniel, all of whom are now de- ceased.

Andrew Earnest was born and reared in Cum- berland county, Penn., where he married a native of the same county. They settled on a farm in that locality, and reared a family of children. Mrs. Earnest died in 1826.

Henry Earnest received a somewhat limited education in the usual log cabin schoolhouse with its single-paned window and primitive furnishings. His mother died when he was but nine years of age, and the family becoming separated, young Henry began to earn his own living at this tender age. He was first employed by a farmer, who gave him his board and 5 cents a day. In 1848 he left Cumberland county and went to Fortress Monroe, Va., where he remained three years. He entered the Mexican war as a private in Com- pany E, First P. V. Battery, under Capt. Bradford, and participated in the following engagements: City of Mexico, Chapultepec, Vera Cruz and Pueblo. At one time he was in the heart of the famous silver mines, 162 miles beyond the City of Mexico. At the close of the conflict he returned to Fortress Monroe, where he received an honora- ble discharge. He then entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad, working on the line to Westmoreland county, Penn. In 1850 he was married to Mary Maloy, of Cumberland county, Penn., and to their union have been born three children: William (deceased), Mary (Mrs. Henry Birch) and Andrew J. (living with his father). In 1851 Mr. Earnest came to Washington county, Penn., and remained in the employ of the railroad company several years, finally purchasing with his earnings sixty acres of land in Buffalo township, Washington county, which is his present home. When he first came to Washington county he left one brother, John, and three sisters-Sarah, Polly and Ann, of whom he has heard nothing in twenty years. During a severe cold Mr. Earnest was obliged to have the sight of one eye destroyed, as the cold had settled in the optic, and the doctors feared that both eyes would otherwise be affected. He is a farmer, and gives much attention to stock raising. Politically, he is a stauch Democrat, and in religion is a member of the Presbyterian Church of East Buffalo.

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EORGE M. ESPY, a leading liveryman of Canonsburg. The Espy family were origi- nally natives of Scotland, the pioneer set- tlers of their name emigrating about the time of the Revolution, settling in Pennsyl- -

vania. James Espy (grandfather of the family now living in Washington county) was born in 1780, in Allegheny county, Penn., and was there married to Margaret Fife (who was born Septem- ber 17, 1782). The young couple purchased a farm in Upper St. Clair township, where children were born to them as follows: William, Margaret (wife of Thomas Fife), Mary (married to Dr. McCor- mack). James, Thomas (killed in the Civil war), and John. The father was a Whig in politics, and served as justice of the peace, also as postmas-

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ter at Upper St. Clair. He was a member and elder of Bethel Presbyterian Church. He died in 1858, his wife in 1852, and the remains of both rest in Bethel cemetery.

John Espy was born on the home farm in Alle- gheny county, Penn., and was early inducted into the mysteries of agricultural pursuits, which he followed throughout life. When a young man he was married to Margaret, daughter of John Smith. Her father was born in Scotland, and for many years his home was on the ocean. He finally abandoned the sea, after having visited nearly every commercial port in the world, and settled in Allegheny county, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Espy be- gan life on the home place, where he is yet living, a representative citizen and active Republican of Allegheny county. He is a stanch supporter of Bethel Presbyterian Church, and is now filling the office of trustee. Their children are as follows: Margaret (wife of J. J. Van Eman); James, mar- ried to Laura Wilson, is living on the home place: John S., living in Pittsburgh, Penn., is married to Alice Nelson; G. Howard, a druggist in New York City; Will F., a druggist in Pittsburgh, Penn. ; and George M.

George M. Espy was born February 10, 1865, in Upper St. Clair township, Allegheny Co., Penn., and remained at home during his boyhood. He attended the Newell Institute at Pittsburgh, Penn., two years, then returning home devoted his attention to farming. On February 22, 18SS, he married Mary B., daughter of John Morgan, who married Rebecca Hickman. She bore him two children, Mary B. and Ella E. In 1890 Mr. Espy left the farm, becoming a partner in the Fife livery establishment at Canonsburg. In 1892 he purchased the interest of Mr. Fife, and now con- ducts the entire business. He has a large amount of custom, keeping eighteen well-bred horses, and having a large stable. He enjoys the confi- dence of the public as an honorable citizen and successful business man. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and in religion a member of the Pres- byterian Church at Canonsburg.

D ANIEL S. McBRIDE. Foremost among the successful retired farmers of Smith township is this well-known gentleman, now a citizen of Bavington, this county. His grandfather, a native of the Emerald Isle, immi- grated to America in an early day, finally locating in Robinson township, this county. He married in this county, and reared a family of ten sons, viz. : Nathaniel, Francis, Alexander, Samuel, David, John, Isaac, Matthew, James and William, all of whom lived to an adult age, but are now de- ceased. The parents died at an advanced age.

James McBride was born in Robinson township,

this county, receiving a very meager education in the subscription schools. He learned the black- smith's trade, following that occupation at different. places on the Steubenville and Pittsburgh pike, and finally becoming a farmer. He was a very kind-hearted man, and this trait being taken ad- vantage of by his friends, resulted in his own financial ruin. He was married to Ann, daughter of Daniel Stewart, of Robinson township, and she bore him children as follows: John (a blacksmith, who died in Bavington, this county), Mary (de- ceased), Sarah (who died when twenty years of age), James (a retired citizen of West End, Pittsburgh), Jane (deceased at the age of fourteen years), Samuel (deceased at the age of twenty-five years), Daniel W. (whose sketch follows), Mary Ann (who died when aged twenty years), and Susanna. (deceased wife of Thomas H. Pyles). The father of this family was a member of the Democratic party. He died in 1852, having been preceded by his wife several years.

Daniel W. McBride was born August 19, 1821, in Hanover township, this county, and attended the subscription schools of the day. He first fol- lowed milling, which he continued for several years, afterward renting a farm. In 1852, during the " gold fever" excitement, he went to California by the overland ronte. The journey from St. Jo- seph to Sacramento (Cal.) occupied eighty-one days, part of the distance being traveled with mules. He remained in California until 1854, then, return- ing to Bavington, this county, opened a flour mill, having acquired his knowledge of the business with no instruction. He continued to conduct the mill for twenty-one years, and having amassed a comfortable property, moved to his present valu- able farm, which contains over three hundred acres of excellent land. The success of Mr. McBride is but the just reward of his own untiring efforts, which have placed him in the enviable position he now occupies. He is an active member of the Democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. McBride are the parents of the following children: James Z. (a dentist of Burgettstown, Penn.), John (a civil engineer of Allegheny, Penn.), Robert F. (a pros- pector of Colorado), Anna Isa, Elizabeth V., Susan D., Roena (wife of A. C. Proudfit, of Smith town- ship) and Daniel S. (a civil engineer of Portland, Oregon).

ACOB GIBSON, a prominent agriculturist of Fallowfield township, is a son of James Gib- son, who was born in 1797, and died in 1863. Jacob Gibson was born on July 25, 1830, in Fallowfield township, Washington Co., Penn., and there passed his boyhood. He was drafted in- to the army at the first call for soldiers in the Civil war, but was obliged to remain at home, as his brother was resolved to go, and one of the boys

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had to stay on the farm. On December 12, 1865, he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Robert McMillan, a son of Robert McMillan, whose parents were natives of Ireland, and came to Amer- ica many years ago. Robert McMillan, the grand- father of Mrs. Gibson, was born in 1751, in York county, Penn., where he learned cloth dressing. He then moved to Beaver county, same State, and there followed his trade for several years, finally settling on a farm in Washington county. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Thompson, who was born in 1751, near Canonsburg, Washington county, and they were the parents of three chil- dren, of whom Robert is the eldest. The mother died in 1814, the father in 1833.

Robert McMillan, father of Mrs. Jacob Gibson, was born in 1808, in Fallowfield township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., and in 1837 was married to Elizabeth Bennett, who was born in 1812, in Fay- ette county, Penn. She died in 1865, leaving the following children: Leander, Harvey, Mary (wife of Jacob Gibson), Amanda (married to Smith Car- son), Robert (living with his father on the home farm), Jane, Cynthia, and John (who owns a large drug store in Washington, Penn.). Of this family Leander and Harvey were members of the Twenty- sixth Illinois Regiment. They served three years in the Civil war, and took part in the battle of Shiloh, in Sherman's march to the sea, and in numerous other engagements. After the war they settled in Illinois, where they are now residing. Mr. McMillan owns 164 acres of a well-cultivated stock farm, and, though eighty-five years have passed over him, he is yet able to superintend the farm work, being remarkably active for a man of his age. The men of this family have been active supporters of the Democratic party, and in religion all are members of the Methodist Church.

Jacob and Mary (McMillan) Gibson have three sons and one daughter. He owns 240 acres of land, and deals extensively in live stock.

OSEPH G. PORTER. This gentleman is a prominent citizen of Hanover township, and a native of Washington county, Penn. His grandfather, Nathaniel Porter, a native of the North of Ireland, was the first member of the family to immigrate to America, coming here about 1770, and first locating in Chester county, Penn. After settling in Pennsylvania he married and reared a family of eight or nine children. He kept a tavern in Williamsport, Penn., for many years, and his hostelry was a great resort for salt packers and people who were crossing the mount- ains to bring merchandise and salt to western Pennsylvania. This property was destroyed in the battle of Brandywine, in the Revolutionary struggle. Nathaniel Porter and his wife passed

their days in eastern Pennsylvania, and died in Chester county.

William Porter was born about 1782 in Chester county, Penn .. where he was inducted into the mysteries of agriculture, and attended the English type of schools. When a young man he was mar- ried to Peggy Wallace, who was born in 1784, a daughter of William Wallace, and descendant of Sir William Wallace, of Scotland. Her father and Nathaniel Porter came to America with the same party of emigrants. To the union of William and Peggy Porter ten sons and two daughters were born, of whom the following lived to an adult age: James, Wallace, Andrew, Joseph G., Franklin (a farmer of Jefferson township) and Sarah (wife of Robert Proudfit, of Smith township). During his early life the father of this family kept a tavern in eastern Pennsylvania, and in 1827 moved to a place in Jefferson township, this county, where he fol- lowed farming; he voted with the Democratic party. He died in 1856, having been preceded by his wife in 1834. They are buried in the Paris U. P. cemetery.

Joseph G. Porter was born December 20, 1817, in Nottingham township. Washington Co., Penn. He learned the blacksmith's trade, which he fol- lowed until taken ill with the smallpox. In 1850 he joined the rush to California during the " gold fever " excitement, and walked from Independence, Mo., to Sacramento, Cal .; he remained in Cali- fornia until 1854, during that time being engaged in mining, and also worked at his trade. He re- turned homne by water, passing through Nicaragua, thence to New York, and finally arriving at home in Washington county, Penn. In 1842 he was married to Nancy Fullerton, who was born in 1819, in Hanover township, this county, a daughter of John Fullerton. The children of Josephi G. and Nancy Porter are as follows: John T. (a farmer of Hanover township), Joseph C. (a plumber) and Melissa (Mrs. John Tucker, of Hanover township). In 1856 Mr. Porter purchased the farm upon which he is now residing, and successfully fol- lowed general agriculture until the approach of old age compelled him to abandon active life. Of late years he has been living in retirement, while his son, John T., manages the farm. Mr. Porter is a genial companion, and in politics is deeply in- terested in the welfare of the Democratic party.

W ICKERHAM, ALBERT G. AND ALEX- ANDER WILSON are leading repre- sentative native-born agriculturists of the connty. Their father, William Wicker- hamn, was a son of Adam, who was a son of Peter or Jacob. a native of Germany, who immi- grated to America at a very early day. making a settlement in Westmoreland county, Penn. He

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married n Miss Schilling, and the children born to them were Poter, Jacob and Adam. The father of this family wns n pioneer former of the State, und became renowned for his exploits with the Indians. He died nt nn extreme old nge.

Adam Wickerham, son of Peter (or Jucob) Wick- erham was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., whenee when a young man he came to Washington county, where ho patented n tract of land on part of which Mononguheln now stands. He there married Miss Shiften, who bore him the following nnmed children: George, Peter, William, Mary and Sarah (Mrs. Bowsman). The father of this family departed this life in 1870, the mother n few years later.

Willinm Wickerham wus a native of Washing- ton county, born in 1809 on a farm whoreon Monongahela now stands. He married Nancy Phillips, a nntive of this county, and, after a few years' residence in the then village of Williams- port, he removed to Carroll township, settling on a farm in the horseshoe bend of the Monongahela river. Here he and his wife passed the rest of their days. He wns n stanch Whig, afterward a Republican, and at the time of the Civil war, al- though well advanced in years, shouldered his musket in defense of the Union, being one of the one hundred-day men. In religion he was a mem- ber and liberal supporter of the Methodist Church. His children were as follows: Adam, David, James, Elizn, Harrison, Margaret, Albert G., Emma, Alexander Wilson and John; of these, Adam is a resident of Carroll township, on the old home farm; Harrison, Albert and John also live in Carroll township; Mrs. Eliza Grant is a widow living in Monongahela; Mrs. Margaret Teeple is in Carroll township; Adam, James and Harrison were in the Civil war, serving three years each, Harrison being the first volunteer to go to the front from Washington county; he was captured by the Confederates and confined in Andersonville prison thirteen months. '

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Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 225

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1540

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1540